Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the way you guide and protect your children and for all the promises you keep. May we hear your voice and follow where you lead. Amen
Reading: Matthew 2:13-23 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: This passage tells of three ways that the early life of Jesus fulfilled what was said through the prophets. The life of baby Jesus was dangerous, and without the careful listening of Joseph, things may not have turned out the way we know them to. Joseph listened to the Lord’s direction on where to lead his family, and the Lord made sure to lead them where they would be protected during dangerous times. The way that the life of Jesus brings the Bible full-circle, and connects the old with the new, brings a whole other level of awe to the birth of Jesus. Having just celebrated Christmas, it is nice to now read this passage as a reminder of the adversity Jesus faced, even in the first few years of his life. Now I don’t mean that being a Christian will amount to a perfect life. But when we take moments of quiet to listen to the Lord’s direction, we will hear where he is guiding us (and spoiler alert, that will not always be the easy path). Ultimately, we faith in Jesus, the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven will too be fulfilled (part of it is even here already- just look around)! --Anne Harshbarger
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